Max Fried, a left-handed pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, left his Opening Day start against the Washington Nationals on April 7, 2023, due to left hamstring discomfort.
The Braves announced shortly after the game that Fried will miss at least one start, leaving the team and fans wondering about the extent of his injury and how long he will be out of the lineup.
As one of the Braves’ top pitchers, Fried’s absence will have a significant impact on the team’s performance and their chances of success this season.
We will provide a detailed overview of what happened to Max Fried, discuss his injury history, analyze the impact of his absence on the Braves, and offer our thoughts on the team’s outlook for the season.
Max Fried Exits Opening Day Start
Max Fried started the Opening Day game for the Braves against the Washington Nationals and was pitching well in the first three innings, allowing only one hit and one walk while striking out three batters.
However, in the fourth inning, he appeared to tweak his left hamstring while running to cover first base on a ground ball. Fried threw one more pitch before Braves manager Brian Snitker and the team’s medical staff went out to check on him.
After a brief conversation, Fried left the game with left hamstring discomfort and was replaced by another pitcher. The extent of the injury was not immediately clear, but it was clear that he could not continue pitching.
Fried appeared to be in pain as he walked off the field, which raised concerns about the severity of the injury.
The Braves later released a statement confirming that Fried will miss at least one start due to his hamstring injury, but did not provide any additional information on the expected timeline for his return or the severity of the injury. Fried himself has not yet made a statement about the injury as of this writing.
Braves Announce Fried Will Miss at Least One Start
The Atlanta Braves confirmed on April 7, 2023, that Max Fried will miss at least one start due to left hamstring discomfort he experienced during his Opening Day start against the Washington Nationals.
The team did not provide any additional details on the expected timeline for his return or the severity of the injury.
Fried’s absence from the rotation will be a significant loss for the Braves, who rely on him as one of their top starting pitchers. The team may need to make some roster changes or call up a replacement pitcher to fill Fried’s spot in the rotation while he is out.
One potential replacement option for Fried could be Tucker Davidson, a left-handed pitcher who has been pitching well in the minor leagues and has some major league experience.
Another possibility is to move another pitcher into Fried’s spot in the rotation, such as Ian Anderson or Charlie Morton, who both have experience as starting pitchers.
Regardless of who replaces Fried in the rotation, his absence will undoubtedly have an impact on the team’s pitching staff and their ability to compete.
The Braves will need to adjust and make the most of their pitching depth to maintain their performance while Fried is out of the lineup.
Fried’s Injury History
Max Fried has had a few injury concerns during his career, but he has not had any notable issues with his hamstring before. In 2020, he missed time due to a back strain, and in 2019, he missed time due to a blister on his left index finger.
Overall, Fried has been a durable pitcher throughout his career, and this hamstring injury is a relatively new concern for him.
Hamstring injuries can be particularly tricky for pitchers because they rely heavily on their lower body to generate power and stability in their pitching motion.
A hamstring strain can impact a pitcher’s ability to drive off the rubber and generate the necessary force to throw their pitches.
Additionally, pitchers with hamstring injuries may be more susceptible to re-injury if they return to pitching too quickly or do not allow sufficient time for recovery.
The long-term impacts of a hamstring injury will depend on the severity of the injury and the amount of time required for recovery.
In some cases, a minor strain may only require a brief period of rest and rehabilitation before a pitcher can return to the mound.
However, a more severe strain or a re-injury could require an extended absence from pitching and may impact a pitcher’s overall performance and durability.
Given Fried’s importance to the Braves’ rotation, the team will likely be cautious with his recovery to ensure he is fully healthy before he returns to the mound.
The Impact of Fried’s Absence on the Braves
Max Fried’s absence from the Braves’ rotation will undoubtedly have an impact on the team’s performance.
As one of the team’s top pitchers, Fried’s absence will leave a significant void in the starting rotation, and his absence will be felt by the team’s pitching staff and defense.
Without Fried, the Braves will need to rely on their other starting pitchers to pick up the slack and keep the team competitive.
Ian Anderson and Charlie Morton will need to step up and take on a more significant workload, and Tucker Davidson or another replacement pitcher will need to fill Fried’s spot in the rotation.
The bullpen may also be impacted by Fried’s absence, as pitchers may need to be shuffled around to accommodate the changes in the starting rotation.
The Braves’ overall team performance may also be impacted by Fried’s absence. Without one of their top pitchers in the rotation, the team may struggle to keep up with their competitors, and their playoff chances may be impacted.
However, it’s important to note that the Braves have a deep pitching staff, and there are opportunities for other pitchers on the team to step up and take on a larger role in the rotation.
If the Braves can weather Fried’s absence and maintain their performance, it could create opportunities for other pitchers on the team to step up and establish themselves as key contributors.
Pitchers like Huascar Ynoa, Kyle Wright, and Bryse Wilson may have opportunities to take on a larger role in the rotation, and their performances could have a significant impact on the team’s overall success this season.
Max Fried’s Pitching Stats (2017-2021)
| Season | Team | Games Played | Games Started | Innings Pitched | ERA | Wins | Losses | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | ATL | 1 | 1 | 4.0 | 9.00 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2020 | ATL | 11 | 11 | 56.0 | 2.25 | 7 | 0 | 50 |
| 2019 | ATL | 32 | 30 | 165.2 | 4.02 | 17 | 6 | 173 |
| 2018 | ATL | 14 | 5 | 33.2 | 2.94 | 1 | 4 | 44 |
| 2017 | ATL | 9 | 4 | 26.2 | 3.81 | 1 | 1 | 22 |
Note: Max Fried missed significant time in 2018 due to a blister on his left index finger.
FAQs
When is Max Fried expected to return to the Braves’ rotation?
As of now, there is no clear timeline for Fried’s return to the rotation. The team has indicated that he will miss at least one start, but the extent of his injury and recovery timeline are still unclear.
Who is likely to replace Max Fried in the Braves’ rotation?
The Braves have a few options for replacing Fried in the rotation, including Tucker Davidson, Huascar Ynoa, and Kyle Wright. The team has not yet announced who will start in Fried’s place.
How will Max Fried’s injury impact the Braves’ playoff chances?
Fried’s injury could have a significant impact on the Braves’ playoff chances, as he is one of the team’s top pitchers. However, the Braves have a deep pitching staff, and if they can weather Fried’s absence and maintain their performance, they could still compete for a playoff spot.
Has Max Fried had a history of other injuries during his career?
Fried has had a few injury concerns during his career, including a back strain in 2020 and a blister on his left index finger in 2019. However, he has been a relatively durable pitcher overall.
What is the typical recovery time for a hamstring injury for a pitcher?
The recovery time for a hamstring injury will depend on the severity of the injury. In some cases, a minor strain may only require a brief period of rest and rehabilitation before a pitcher can return to the mound. However, a more severe strain or a re-injury could require an extended absence from pitching and may impact a pitcher’s overall performance and durability.
Conclusion
Max Fried’s injury is a setback for the Braves’ pitching rotation, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt by the team.
The Braves will need to rely on their other starting pitchers to pick up the slack and keep the team competitive, while also being cautious with Fried’s recovery to ensure he is fully healthy before he returns to the mound.
Although Fried’s absence is a challenge for the Braves, it also presents opportunities for other pitchers on the team to step up and establish themselves as key contributors.
The team will need to adjust and make the most of their pitching depth to maintain their performance and keep their playoff hopes alive.
